Guide for pen-holders



M. A. ILIPP. Guide for Pen Holders.

No. 234,781; Patented Nov. 23,1880,

W725 6556s: In we z'moiw PETERS, FNOTO-UTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D Cv UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTHA A. ILIFF, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

GUIDEFOR PEN-HOLDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,781, dated November 23, 1880.

Application filed February 16, 1880.

To all whom 225 may concern Be it known that I, MARTHA A. ILIFF, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Guide for PeaHolders, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspectiveelevation, showing the application of the guide to a hand, and Fig. 2 a perspective view of the guide itself.

This invent-ion is intended to overcome a serious difficulty in teachingchildren to write namely, the proper holding of the pen-staff. Heretofore the child in grasping the holder becomes intent in making the lines of the copy to the disregard. of the position or angle in which the pen is directed. The fingers would therefore naturally become cramped around the pen, and the upper end of the holder would become elevated to an unnatural and tedious angle.

This invention consists in a ring to be used on the forefinger of the right hand having pro- 2 jecting from one side a loop, through which the pen-holder projects to keep it in proper position when the child is writing, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

In the accompanying drawings, Arepresents an ordinary ring, open at one side and lapped, as shown at A. This ring is to be made of metal, gutta-percha, or other suitable material, so that when it is placed on the forefinger of the right hand, as shown in Fig. 1, the open portion will allow it to expand and'hold itself firmly on the finger. At the same time the material used should not be so unyielding as to stop the circulation in the finger. The loop B, formed of the same piece, projects out from the side of the ring nearest the thumb, and can be made of any suitable size or curvature; but the form found to be most convenient is that shown in the drawings, wherein the loop B droops at its lower side, as shown at B, forming a rest for the holder. In writing the holder is passed through this loop and the lower part of the holder grasped by the fingers and thumb in the ordinary manner. The forefinger of the beginner is usually curved too much, and the loop B efiectuall y prevents this. \rVhen the child has become sufficient] y habituated to grasping the holder at its proper angle the use of the ring is discontinued. All children grasp the holder too firmly, thus preventing that freedom of motion so necessary.

The use of the ring enables the child to hold the pen lightly, and in this respect it is also serviceable to book-keepers or correspondents who write continuously for any length of time.

I am aware that a pen-rest provided with a forked projection has been constructed for use upon the second finger of the hand; but this is no part of my invention, nor do I claim it as such. Iam not aware that an open ring having a loop projecting from one side has ever before been made or known in the arts; therefore What I claim as new is-- 1. The open ring A, having projecting from one side thereof the loop B for use on the forefinger of the hand, as herein set forth.

2. The open ring A and loop B, formed of one piece of metal or other material, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The loop B on the ring A, having its lower side, B, drooping to form a rest for the pen, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of February, 1880, in the presence of Witnesses.

' MARTHA A. ILIFF.

Witnesses:

J. S. ZERBE, S. STROBHART. 

